Real time customer access to location, arrival and on-site time data

• US 9,740,999 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2012
• Issued: 08/22/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyphen Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: MobiWork LLC
• Inventors: Rivere, Herve
• Primary Examiner(s): Jeanty, Romain
• Application Number:
  US13/649,693
• Publication Number:
  US 20130090965A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,776 Days
• Field of Search: 705 715
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06311 Scheduling, planning or task assignment for a person or group

Abstract

The method provides real time task-related data to customers seeking services by a vendor'"'"'s task person (T-P) at a customer location. The T-P has a GPS-enabled phone-tablet-device linked by a the network to a task collection database which includes data on task, customer, location, T-P, and current location. The customer is permitted to access the database showing location, the time and/or distance of T-P, the projected time of arrival, duration, and time of completion. The customer selects a communications channel for call ahead time and delay notice. Additionally, the system and method may be deployed over a distributed computed system which includes a supplemental computer and a supplemental database. The web based server forwards to the supplemental computer and supplemental database the customer selected communications channel, mode, call ahead and delay data.

Claims

1. A computer-based method providing real time task-related data to customers seeking services, goods or consultations at a customer task situs location from a task person assigned to a unique task and an assigned GPS-enabled phone, computer tablet or electronic device coupled to a telecommunications network, said customer having an Internet-enabled communications device linked to said telecommunications network for communications over said telecommunications network, the method operative with a database populated with a plurality of tasks represented by unique task data collections, customer data, task person data, assigned GPS-enabled device data and current location data, one of said unique task data collections having said task situs location data, projected time of arrival data, task identifier data, task description, and task assignment data, said task person data including contact data for the assigned task person and said GPS enabled device, said customer data including customer name, identifying data and a customer communications channel and mode, said database coupled to a web-based server and processor which in turn is coupled to said telecommunications network and enabled to communicate over said communications channels and modes per said customer data, the method comprising:

gathering, in substantially realtime, a task person location from said assigned GPS-enabled phone and determining said projected time of arrival substantially continually based thereon;

said server effecting a display on said customer Internet-enabled device listing;

said task identifier or said task description, said projected time of arrival data and said current task person location data;

wherein, with respect to said customer data, said communications channel and mode is a primary communications channel and mode, said customer data further including a secondary communications channel and mode;

said server accepting customer-initiated selection of one said communications channel;

said server accepting customer-initiated selection of one communications mode from the group consisting of;

a voice message through the selected communications channel to said customer, and a text message through the selected communications channel to said customer,

said server accepting customer-initiated selection of a task-related communications channel and a task-related mode selection for a time period for an antecedent notice-of-arrival message, said antecedent message based upon said projected time of arrival for said task person at said task situs or distance to said task situs, and a delay message resulting from a change in said projected time of arrival or distance to task situs;

sending said antecedent message for said task and said delay message to said customer per the task-related channel and mode selections;

said server effecting a further display on said customer Internet-enabled device listing said time of arrival, updated with real time task person location data; and

when said customer is not at said task situs, said further display and said updated time of arrival coordinating the substantially simultaneous visit of said task person and said customer at said task situs.

2. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 1 including said server effecting said displayed location data as a displayed map on said customer Internet-enabled device.

3. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said time-of-arrival data in said unique task data collection is a posted time-of-arrival, and the method includes one or both of:

(a) said server calculating an updated time-of-arrival data based upon said current location data from said GPS-enabled device; and

replacing said posted time-of-arrival with said updated time-of-arrival data as said projected time of arrival; and

(b) said server calculating an updated distance to task situs based upon said current location data from said GPS-enabled device; and

posting distance to task situs as a proxy for an updated time-of-arrival data.

4. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the method includes said server calculating an updated time-of-arrival data and includes effecting the audible announcement of said projected time of arrival on said customer Internet-enabled device.

5. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 1 including said server effecting said displayed location data as a distance between said GPS enabled device and said task situs in miles or kilometers on said customer Internet-enabled device.

6. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 1

said server accepting customer-initiated selection of a communications channel and a mode selection for both said antecedent notice-of-arrival message and said delay message;

and

sending said antecedent message for said task and said delay message, if needed, to said customer per the selections.

7. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 6 wherein said customer data includes said primary communications channel and multiple modes and said secondary communications channel and multiple modes, and

said server accepts customer-initiated selection of one communications channel from the group of communications channels comprising said primary communications channel associated with a customer phone and said secondary communications channel associated with a customer phone and one of said modes for the selected communications channel, thereby enabling said server to effect customer communication by:

a voice message to the primary phone coupled to said primary communications channel, a text message to said primary phone coupled to said primary communications channel, a calendar alert associated with said primary phone coupled to said primary communications channel, a voice message to a secondary phone coupled to said secondary communications channel, a text message to said secondary phone coupled to said secondary communications channel; and

a calendar alert associated with said primary phone coupled to said secondary communications channel.

8. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 7 wherein once said server accepts said customer-initiated selection of said one communications channel and one mode for said customer-initiated selection of said antecedent time period for notice-of-arrival:

said server sets as a default the selected one communications channel and one mode for said delay message; and

said server accepting a change the selected communications channels and modes until location data from said GPS-enabled device matches said task situs location.

9. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the customer Internet-enabled communications device is an Internet-enabled cellphone or a computer with a voice-enabled communications module and wherein the method includes:

said server effecting a display on said customer cellphone or computer listing;

said task identifier, said task description, said projected time of arrival data and said assigned task person.

10. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the task related data provided for customers is deployed over said web-based server and a supplemental computer system having a supplemental database populated with said plurality of tasks represented by said unique task data collections, said customer data, said task person data and assigned GPS-enabled device data,

said web-based server forwarding to said supplemental computer system and said supplemental database:

said server accepted selection of one said communications channel, said server accepted selection of one communications mode, said server accepted selection of said time period for said antecedent message, and said server accepted selection of said communications channel and mode selection for said delay message.

11. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 7 wherein said server accepts the customer-initiated selection sent by an access point on the internet enabled device.

12. A computer-based method providing real time task-related data to customers seeking services, goods or consultations at a customer task situs location from a task person assigned to a unique task and an assigned GPS-enabled phone, computer tablet or electronic device coupled to a telecommunications network, said customer having an Internet-enabled communications device linked to said telecommunications network for communications over said telecommunications network, the method operative with a database populated with a plurality of tasks represented by unique task data collections, customer data, task person data and assigned GPS-enabled device data, one of said unique task data collections having said task situs location data, projected time of arrival data, task identifier data, task description, and task assignment data, said task person data including contact data for the assigned task person and said GPS enabled device, said customer data including customer name, identifying data and at least a primary and a secondary communications channel and mode, said database coupled to a web-based server and processor which in turn is coupled to said telecommunications network and enabled to communicate over said communications channels and modes per said customer data, the method comprising:

gathering, in substantially realtime, a task person location from said assigned GPS-enabled phone and determining said projected time of arrival substantially continually based thereon;

said server effecting a display on said customer Internet-enabled device listing;

said task identifier, said task description, and said projected time of arrival data;

said server accepting customer-initiated selection of one said communications channel;

said server accepting customer-initiated selection of one communications mode from the group consisting of;

a voice message through the selected communications channel to said customer, and a text message through the selected communications channel to said customer;

said server accepting customer-initiated selection of a time period for an antecedent notice-of-arrival message, said antecedent message based upon said projected time of arrival for said task person at said task situs;

said server accepting customer-initiated selection of a communications channel and a mode selection for a delay message resulting from a change in said projected time of arrival or distance to task situs; and

sending said antecedent message for said task and said delay message, if needed, to said customer per the selections.

13. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 12 including changing said projected time of arrival based upon either distance to said task situs or prior task assignments tracked by said assigned GPS-enabled device.

14. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 12 wherein said time period for said antecedent message is one of a plurality of antecedent time periods and said server accepts customer-initiated selection of one of said plurality of antecedent time periods for said antecedent notice-of-arrival message.

15. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 12 wherein said customer data includes said primary communications channel and multiple modes and said secondary communications channel and multiple modes and,

said server accepts customer-initiated selection of one communications channel from the group of communications channels comprising said primary communications channel associated with a customer phone and said secondary communications channel associated with a customer phone and one of said modes for the selected communications channel, thereby enabling said server to effect customer communication by:

a voice message to the primary phone coupled to said primary communications channel, a text message to said primary phone coupled to said primary communications channel, a calendar alert associated with said primary phone coupled to said primary communications channel, a voice message to a secondary phone coupled to said secondary communications channel, a text message to said secondary phone coupled to said secondary communications channel; and

a calendar alert associated with said primary phone coupled to said secondary communications channel.

16. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 15 wherein once said server accepts said customer-initiated selection of said one communications channel and one mode for said customer-initiated selection of said antecedent time period for notice-of-arrival:

said server sets as a default the selected one communications channel and one mode for said delay message.

17. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 16 enabling said customer to change the selected communications channels and modes until location data from said UPS-enabled device matches said task situs location.

18. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 12 wherein the customer Internet-enabled communications device is an Internet-enabled cellphone or a computer with a voice-enabled communications module and wherein the method includes:

said server effecting a display on said customer cellphone or computer listing;

said task identifier, said task description, said projected time of arrival data and said assigned task person.

19. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 18 wherein:

said server accepts said customer-initiated selection of said one communications mode from the group consisting of;

a voice message to be sent from said server to said customer Internet-enabled device, a text message to be sent from said server to customer Internet-enabled device;

a calendar alert to be sent from said server deliverable to said Internet-enabled device;

an email message to be sent from said server deliverable to said Internet-enabled device;

wherein the selected communications channel is coupled to said customer Internet-enabled device.

20. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 12 wherein said customer identifying data includes a password and the method includes:

said server accepting said password prior to one or more of;

said accepting customer-initiated selection of one said communications channel;

said accepting customer-initiated selection of one communications mode;

said accepting customer-initiated selection of said time period for said antecedent message, and said accepting customer-initiated selection of the communications channel and the mode selection for said delay message.

21. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 12 wherein:

the task related data provided for customers is deployed over said web-based server and a supplemental computer system having a supplemental database populated with said plurality of tasks represented by said unique task data collections, said customer data, said task person data and assigned GPS-enabled device data,

said web-based server forwarding to said supplemental computer system and said supplemental database;

said server accepted selection of one said communications channel, said server accepted selection of one communications mode, said server accepted selection of said time period for said antecedent message, and said server accepted selection of said communications channel and mode selection for said delay message.

22. A computer-based method providing real time task-related data to customers seeking services, goods or consultations at a customer task situs location from a task person assigned to a unique task and an assigned GPS-enabled phone, computer tablet or electronic device coupled to a telecommunications network, said customer having an Internet-enabled communications device linked to said telecommunications network for communications over said telecommunications network, the method operative with a database populated with a plurality of tasks represented by unique task data collections, customer data, task person data and assigned GPS-enabled device data, one of said unique task data collections having said task situs location data, projected time of arrival data, task identifier data, task description, and task assignment data, said task person data including contact data for the assigned task person and said GPS enabled device, said customer data including customer name, identifying data and at least a primary and a secondary communications channel and mode, said database coupled to a web-based server and processor which in turn is coupled to said telecommunications network and enabled to communicate over said communications channels and modes per said customer data, the method comprising:

gathering, in substantially realtime, a task person location from said assigned GPS-enabled phone and determining said projected time of arrival substantially continually based thereon;

said server effecting a visual or an audible presentation over said customer Internet-enabled device listing;

said task identifier, said task description, and said projected time of arrival data;

said server accepting customer-initiated selection of one said communications channel;

said server accepting customer-initiated selection of one communications mode from the group consisting of;

a voice message through the selected communications channel to said customer, and a text message through the selected communications channel to said customer,

said server accepting customer-initiated selection of a time period for an antecedent notice-of-arrival message, said antecedent message based upon said projected time of arrival for said task person at said task situs;

said server accepting customer-initiated selection of a communications channel and a mode selection for a delay message resulting from a change in said projected time of arrival;

sending said antecedent message for said task and said delay message, if needed, to said customer per the selections.

23. A computer system providing real time task-related data to customers seeking services, goods or consultations at a customer task situs location from a task person assigned to a unique task and an assigned GPS-enabled phone, computer tablet or electronic device coupled to a telecommunications network, said customer having an Internet-enabled communications device linked to said telecommunications network for communications over said telecommunications network, a web-based server coupled to a telecommunications network and further coupled to said GPS-enabled device, said server having a processor maintaining a database populated with a plurality of tasks represented by unique task data collections, customer data, task person data, assigned GPS-enabled device data and current location data, one of said unique task data collections having said task situs location data, projected time of arrival data, task identifier data, task description, and task assignment data, said task person data including contact data for the assigned task person and said GPS enabled device, said customer data including customer name, identifying data and a customer communications channel and mode, said web-based server and processor coupled to said telecommunications network and enabled to communicate over said communications channels and modes per said customer data, comprising:

said server gathering, in substantially realtime, a task person location from said assigned GPS-enabled phone and determining said projected time of arrival substantially continually based thereon;

said server having means for effecting the display on said customer Internet-enabled device listing;

said task identifier, said task description, said projected time of arrival data; and

said current location data;

said server having one or more of;

(i) means for mapping said current location data on a map displayed on said customer Internet-enabled device, or (ii) means for obtaining and displaying a distance between said GPS enabled device and said task situs in miles or kilometers on said customer Internet-enabled device;

said server permitting, with respect to said customer data, said communications channel and mode is a primary communications channel and mode, said customer data further including a secondary communications channel and mode, the method further including

said server accepting customer-initiated selection of one said communications channel;

said server accepting customer-initiated selection of one communications mode from the group consisting of;

a voice message through the selected communications channel to said customer, and a text message through the selected communications channel to said customer,

said server accepting customer-initiated selection of a communications channel and a mode selection for one or the other or both of;

(a) a time period for an antecedent notice-of-arrival message, said antecedent message based upon said projected time of arrival for said task person at said task situs, and (b) a delay message resulting from a change in said projected time of arrival or distance to task situs; and

sending one or the other or both said antecedent message for said task and said delay message to said customer per the selections.

24. A computer system as claimed in claim 23 wherein said time-of-arrival data in said unique task data collection is a posted time-of-arrival, and the system includes:

said server having means for calculating an updated time-of-arrival data based upon said current location data from said GPS-enabled device;

means for re-posting said posted time-of-arrival with said updated time-of-arrival data as said projected time of arrival; and

said server having means for effecting an audible announcement of said projected time of arrival on said customer Internet-enabled device.

25. A computer system as claimed in claim 23 wherein said communications channel and mode is a primary communications channel and mode, said customer data further including a secondary communications channel and mode, wherein:

said server having first means for accepting customer-initiated selection of one said communications channel;

said server having second means for accepting customer-initiated selection of one communications mode from the group consisting of;

a voice message through the selected communications channel to said customer, and a text message through the selected communications channel to said customer;

said server having third means for accepting customer-initiated selection of a time period for an antecedent notice-of-arrival message, said antecedent message based upon said projected time of arrival for said task person at said task situs;

said server having fourth means for accepting customer-initiated selection of a communications channel and a mode selection for a delay message resulting from a change in said projected time of arrival;

a communications interface coupled to said server for sending both said antecedent message for said task and said delay message, if needed, to said customer per the selections, said communications interface including an interactive voice response unit and text messager.

26. A computer system as claimed in claim 25:

wherein said customer data includes said primary communications channel and multiple modes and said secondary communications channel and multiple modes and

said server includes a fifth means for accepting customer-initiated selection of one communications channel from the group of communications channels comprising said primary communications channel associated with a customer phone and said secondary communications channel associated with a customer phone and one of said modes for the selected communications channel, thereby enabling said server to effect customer communication by;

a voice message to the primary phone coupled to said primary communications channel, a text message to said primary phone coupled to said primary communications channel, a calendar alert associated with said primary phone coupled to said primary communications channel, a voice message to a secondary phone coupled to said secondary communications channel, a text message to said secondary phone coupled to said secondary communications channel; and

a calendar alert associated with said primary phone coupled to said secondary communications channel;

said communications interface further including a calendar module for effecting customer communication by said calendar alert.

27. A computer system as claimed in claim 23 wherein said computer system is a distributed computer system, wherein:

the distributed computer system includes a supplemental computer having a supplemental database populated with said plurality of tasks and plurality of unique task data collections, said customer data, and said task person data and assigned GPS-enabled device data,

a store and forward module operative with said web-based server for forwarding to said supplemental computer system and said supplemental database;

said server accepted selection of one said communications Channel, said server accepted selection of one communications mode, said server accepted selection of said time period for said antecedent message, and said server accepted selection of said communications channel and mode selection for said delay message.

28. A computer system providing real time task-related data to customers seeking services, goods or consultations at a customer task situs location from a task person assigned to a unique task and an assigned GPS-enabled phone, computer tablet or electronic device coupled to a telecommunications network, said customer having an Internet-enabled communications device linked to said telecommunications network for communications over said telecommunications network, a web-based server coupled to a telecommunications network and further coupled to said GPS-enabled device, said server having a processor maintaining a database populated with a plurality of tasks represented by unique task data collections, customer data, task person data, assigned GPS-enabled device data and current location data, one of said unique task data collections having said task situs location data, projected time of arrival data, task identifier data, task description, and task assignment data, said task person data including contact data for the assigned task person and said GPS enabled device, said customer data including customer name, identifying data and at least a primary and a secondary communications channel and mode, said web-based server and processor coupled to said telecommunications network and enabled to communicate over said communications channels and modes per said customer data, comprising:

said server gathering, in substantially realtime, a task person location from said assigned GPS-enabled phone and determining said projected time of arrival substantially continually based thereon;

said server having means for effecting a display on said customer Internet-enabled device listing;

said task identifier, said task description, and said projected time of arrival data;

said server having first means for accepting customer-initiated selection of one said communications channel;

said server having second means for accepting customer-initiated selection of one communications mode from the group consisting of;

a voice message through the selected communications channel to said customer, and a text message through the selected communications channel to said customer;

said server having third means for accepting customer-initiated selection of a time period for an antecedent notice-of-arrival message, said antecedent message based upon said projected time of arrival for said task person at said task situs;

said server having fourth means for accepting customer-initiated selection of a communications channel and a mode selection for a delay message resulting from a change in said projected time of arrival;

a timing module to generate said antecedent message based upon said projected time of arrival for said task person at said task situs and means to monitor said current location and to ascertain said change in said projected time of arrival, said timing module operative with said third and fourth means for accepting; and

a communications interface coupled to said server for sending said antecedent message for said task and said delay message, if needed, to said customer per the selections, said communications interface including an interactive voice response unit and text messager.

29. A computer system as claimed in claim 28 wherein said customer data includes said primary communications channel and multiple modes and said secondary communications channel and multiple modes, and,

said server has a fifth means for accepting customer-initiated selection of one communications channel from the group of communications channels comprising said primary communications channel associated with a customer phone and said secondary communications channel associated with a customer phone and one of said modes for the selected communications channel, thereby enabling said server to effect customer communication by:

a voice message to the primary phone coupled to said primary communications channel, a text message to said primary phone coupled to said primary communications channel, a calendar alert associated with said primary phone coupled to said primary communications channel, a voice message to a secondary phone coupled to said secondary communications channel, a text message to said secondary phone coupled to said secondary communications channel; and

a calendar alert associated with said primary phone coupled to said secondary communications channel;

said communications interface further including a calendar module for effecting customer communication by said calendar alert.